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back bench

American  

noun

  1. any of the rows of seats occupied by the backbenchers.


Etymology

Origin of back bench

First recorded in 1870–75


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Dalton Rushing was shown on the game broadcast breaking his bat in the dugout and slamming his leg guard on the back bench after striking out in the fourth inning.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2026

“Members get elected up here and they get stuck on the back bench and they have to listen and don’t really get a chance to speak,” Mr. Hern said.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 9, 2022

"But I don't think he's going to just sit there throwing rocks from the back bench either."

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2022

He has gone from being a powerful chairman of two committees to an outsider who sits — literally every day Congress is in session — on the very back bench of the House chamber.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 2, 2021

We found a place at a back bench, close together like you always had to sit on those benches.

From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth

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